Find it map system and method

ABSTRACT

A find it map system including: a server including a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor; the memory having a database comprising at least data related to positioning and tracking of a game ball; and a device capable of accessing GPS and including a user-interface configured to enable communication with the server via a software application. The device and software is useful for golfers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims benefit under 35 USC 118 to Canada National Application Serial No. 3,016,399 filed Sep. 4, 2018 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location of existing art and more specifically relates to find it map system and method.

RELATED ART

Many individuals play sports for recreation and to stay fit. One of the sports played is golf. Golf is a club-and-ball sport in which players use various clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible. Golf, unlike most ball games, cannot and does not utilize a standardized playing area, and coping with the varied terrains encountered on different courses is a key part of the game. The game at the usual level is played on a course with an arranged progression of 18 holes, though recreational courses can be smaller, often having 9 holes. Each hole on the course must contain a tee box to start from, and a putting green containing the actual hole or cup. There are other standard forms of terrain in between, such as the fairway, rough, bunkers, and various hazards (water, rocks) but each hole on a course is unique in its specific layout and arrangement. Golf is played for the lowest number of strokes by an individual, known as stroke play, or the lowest score on the most individual holes in a complete round by an individual or team, known as match play. The golfers often lose track of the location of golf balls during play especially when the balls are hit into the rough. A suitable solution for finding and recovering the balls is desirable.

U. S. Pub. No. 2016/0193498 to Chris Hixenbaugh et al., relates to a portable launch monitor. The described portable launch monitor includes a launch monitor system and method for measuring flight characteristics of a golf ball. The launch monitor system comprises a support structure, a smart device positioned to capture one or more images of the golf ball, a flash source, and an application configured to execute on the smart device. The software application processes images of the golf ball and determines one or more flight characteristics thereof. Also disclosed is a launch monitor system and method for displaying flight characteristics of a golf ball, and, optionally, a computed trajectory of the golf ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location art, the present disclosure provides a novel find it map system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a means to readily find golf balls and other balls that may become lost.

A find it map system is disclosed herein comprising: a server including a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory having a database comprising at least data related to positioning and tracking of a game ball; and a device capable of accessing GPS and including a user-interface configured to enable communication with the server via a software application.

A method of use for the find it map system is also disclosed herein, the method comprising the steps of: providing a find it map system comprising: a server including: a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory having a database comprising at least data related to positioning and tracking of a game ball; and a device capable of accessing GPS and including a user-interface configured to enable communication with the server via a software application; taking a picture of the game ball via a camera on the device after the game ball is hit and the game ball is stopped at a position; and using the software application in combination with the camera to track the game ball; wherein the position is calculated as to distance and directions in a step-by-step format, the distance and the directions determined by the GPS and alternately cellular triangulation.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a find it map system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the find it map system and method during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the find it map system and method of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the find it map system and method of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the find it map system and method of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the find it map system and method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location and more particularly to a find it map system and method as used to improve the tracking of objects such as golf balls.

Generally, the present invention is a software application that can be used on any cell phone with a camera to determine directions and distance to any given point. The photo marks the destination and then the app uses GPS or cellular triangulation to pinpoint the spot on a map. The invention is designed for golfers. The golfer simply takes a picture of where the ball was last seen or landed and the software app will then calculate exact distance and directions to that spot. The software application can be used on any cell phone with a camera to determine directions and distance to any given point. The app communicates between the camera and GPS modem to determine exact distances and complete directions to that spot. The system is great for golfers who tee off and need to track or remember where their ball went. After hitting the ball they simply take a photo of where the ball landed or was last seen and the app then calculates the distance and exact step by step directions to that spot.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a find it map system 100.

FIG. 1 shows a find it map system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the find it map system 100 may be beneficial for use by a user to track his/her golf balls 112 or other such objects during a game. As illustrated, the find it map system 100 may include a server 120 including a processor 122; and a memory 124 in communication with the processor 122; the memory 124 having a database comprising at least data related to positioning and tracking of a game ball 110; and a device 130 capable of accessing GPS and including a user-interface configured to enable communication with the server 120 via a software application 132.

According to one embodiment, the find it map system 100 may be arranged as a kit. In particular, the find it map system 100 may further include a set of instructions. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the find it map system 100 such that the find it map system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 showing various views of the find it map system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The game ball 110 is typically a golf ball 112 within the disclosed find it map system 100. The software application is configured to execute on the device 130 and capture one or more images of the golf ball 112; wherein the software application 132 processes the images (taken by the camera 140) and determines a distance travelled by the golf ball 112. The camera 140 is used after hitting the golf ball 112 to take a picture; wherein the camera 140 communicates with the software application 132 and the GPS. A targeting reticule or dot may be displayed on the camera image to assist the user in taking the picture. The device 130 referred to herein is a smart device 131; wherein the smart device 131 comprises a camera 140. The smart device 131 preferably comprises a smartphone, as shown however other suitably equivalent electronic devices may be used such as tablets or the like. Smart devices 131 as referred to herein are equipped with an internal computer, including the processor 122 that executes software modules, commonly known as software applications 132 (apps). In smart devices 131 of the present invention, a software application 132 for processing and analyzing images is configured to execute thereon. The software application 132 is able to use algorithms for calculations referred to herein.

The smartphone is capable of cellular triangulation to pinpoint a spot on a map; wherein the spot on the map relates to a position of the golf ball 112. The spot on the map is traceable back to a fairway position such that the user doesn't lose his/her way or orientation to the game. The spot on the map is calculated via the GPS or via cellular triangulation to determine the distance and/or a set of directions. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of GPS and cellular triangulation as described herein, methods of obtaining and communicating directions and step-by-step directions to and from points on a map will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of use 500 for find it map system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of use 500 may include one or more components or features of the find it map system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method of use 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a find it map system comprising: a server including: a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory having a database comprising at least data related to positioning and tracking of a game ball; and a device capable of accessing GPS and including a user-interface configured to enable communication with the server via a software application; step two 502, taking a picture of the game ball via a camera on the device after the game ball is hit and the game ball is stopped at a position; step three 503, using the software application in combination with the camera to track the game ball; wherein the position is calculated as to distance and directions in a step-by-step format, the distance and the directions determined by the GPS and alternately cellular triangulation.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for object finding and recovery are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A find it map system comprising: a server including: a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory having: a database comprising at least data related to positioning and tracking of an object; and a device capable of accessing GPS and including: a user-interface configured to enable communication with the server via a software application.
 2. The find it map system of claim 1, wherein said object is a golf ball.
 3. The find it map system of claim 2, wherein said software application is configured to execute on the device and capture one or more images of the golf ball, wherein the software application processes the images and determines a distance travelled by said golf ball.
 4. The find it map system of claim 3, wherein said device is a smart device.
 5. The find it map system of claim 4, wherein the smart device comprises a camera.
 6. The find it map system of claim 5, wherein the smart device comprises a smartphone.
 7. The find it map system of claim 6, wherein the smartphone is capable of cellular triangulation to pinpoint a spot on a map.
 8. The find it map system of claim 7, wherein the spot on the map relates to a position of said golf ball.
 9. The find it map system of claim 8, wherein the spot on the map is traceable back to a fairway position.
 10. The find it map system of claim 9, wherein the spot on the map is calculated via said GPS to determine the distance.
 11. The find it map system of claim 9, wherein the spot on the map is calculated via said cellular triangulation to determine the distance.
 12. The find it map system of claim 9, wherein the spot on the map is calculated via said GPS to determine a set of directions.
 13. The find it map system of claim 9, wherein the spot on the map is calculated via said cellular triangulation to determine a set of directions.
 14. The find it map system of claim 5, wherein the camera is used after hitting the golf ball to take a picture.
 15. The find it map system of claim 14, wherein the camera communicates with the software application.
 16. The find it map system of claim 14, wherein the camera communicates with the software application and the GPS.
 17. A find it map system comprising: a server including: a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory having: a database comprising at least data related to positioning and tracking of an object; and a device capable of accessing GPS and including: a user-interface configured to enable communication with the server via a software application; wherein said object is a game ball; wherein said software application is configured to execute on the device and capture one or more images of the game ball, wherein the software application processes the images and determines a distance travelled by said game ball; wherein said device is a smart device; wherein the smart device comprises a smartphone; wherein the smart device comprises a camera; wherein the camera is used after hitting the game ball to take a picture; wherein the smartphone is capable of cellular triangulation to pinpoint a spot on a map; wherein the spot on the map relates to a position of said game ball; wherein the spot on the map is traceable back to a fairway position; wherein the spot on the map is calculated via said GPS to determine the distance and directions; and wherein the camera communicates with the software application and the GPS.
 18. The find it map system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the find it map system is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of use for the find it map system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a find it map system comprising: a server including: a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory having: a database comprising at least data related to positioning and tracking of a game ball; and a device capable of accessing GPS and including: a user-interface configured to enable communication with the server via a software application; taking a picture of said game ball via a camera on said device after said game ball is hit and said game ball is stopped at a position; and using said software application in combination with said camera to track said game ball.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said position is calculated as to distance and directions in a step-by-step format, said distance and said directions determined by said GPS and alternately cellular triangulation. 